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Abstract:

A cover assembly for a floor box includes a base with a central opening
and a cover pivotally connected to the base by a hinge member. The hinge
member has a hinge body with a first end pivotally connected to the base
for pivoting with respect to the base and second end pivotally connected
to the cover for pivoting with respect to the cover. A tab extends from
the second end of the hinge body to contact a bottom surface of the cover
to limit pivoting movement of the cover with respect to the hinge body. A
slide surface is provided on the base that contacts an end of the cover
during pivoting movement of the cover to prevent wear on a gasket with
the opening of the base.

Claims:

1. A cover assembly for a floor box comprising: a base having a first
end, a second end, and a central opening for accessing the floor box; a
cover having a first end and a second end, and a dimension to close said
central opening; and a hinge having a hinge body with a first end
pivotally coupled to said first end of said base at a first pivot axis
and a second end pivotally coupled to said first end of said cover at a
second pivot axis, said second end of said hinge body extending in a
longitudinal direction away from said second pivot axis and configured to
contact said cover to limit pivoting of said cover with respect to said
second pivot axis of said hinge body when said cover is pivoted in a
closed direction.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said hinge body has a
longitudinal dimension extending between said first end and second end,
and where said hinge body has a tab extending in said longitudinal
direction from said second end, said tab being positioned to contact an
inner face of said cover when said cover is pivoted to a closed position
to limit the pivoting of said cover with respect to said hinge body.

3. The cover assembly of claim 2, wherein said base has a top face, said
cover having a top face aligned with and coplanar with said top face of
said base when said cover is in the closed position, and said top face of
said cover lying flat against said top face of said base when said cover
is in an open position.

4. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said first pivot axis is
positioned below said top face of said base, and where said second end of
said hinge body is positionable with respect to said base between a first
position below said top face of said base and a second position above
said top face of said base.

5. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said hinge body has a
longitudinal dimension and where said first pivot axis is oriented in a
first plane extending in said longitudinal dimension, and said second
pivot axis is oriented in a second plane extending in said longitudinal
dimension and spaced from said first plane, and a tab on a second end of
said hinge body extending in said longitudinal dimension of said hinge
body in said second plane, said tab being oriented to contact said cover
during closing of said cover.

6. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises a
flange extending inwardly and defining a recess in said opening, a gasket
on said flange for forming a seal between said base and cover, and a
rigid member having a top surface oriented at a top face of said gasket
at said first end of said base, said rigid member configured for
contacting an edge of said cover at said first end of said cover during
opening and closing of said cover with respect to said base.

7. The cover assembly of claim 6, wherein said cover has an inner surface
with a recess at said first end of said cover oriented to mate with said
rigid member of said base.

8. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said second end of said cover
has a latch assembly, said latch assembly comprising: a slide latch
coupled to said cover for sliding in a plane of said cover between a
retracted position and an extended latching position, an actuating member
pivotally coupled to said cover, said actuating member having a pivot
axis parallel to said plane of said cover and a first detent engaging a
first side of said slide latch and a second detent engaging a second side
of said slide latch, whereby pivoting said actuating member causes
sliding movement of said slide latch.

9. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein said slide latch has a first
arm extending outwardly from the first side of said slide latch engaging
said first detent and a second arm extending outwardly from the second
side of said slide latch, and where said detents of said actuating member
engage said arms to move said slide latch by pivoting of said actuating
member.

10. The cover assembly of claim 1, said cover further comprising a cord
access opening, and an access door pivotally coupled to said cover to
close said cord access opening, said access door having two opposing
pivot pins pivotally coupled to said cover to pivot said access door
between a closed position to close said access door and an open position,
a compression spring washer on at least one said pivot pin and positioned
between said cover and said access door to apply an axial force against
said access door to retain said access door in said open position and
said closed position.

11. A cover assembly for a floor box, comprising a base having a central
opening for accessing said floor box, said base having a first end and a
second end, and a flange extending into said opening, and a first rigid
contact member having a contact surface spaced from a top surface of said
flange; a cover having a dimension to close said central opening and
contacting said contact surface during opening and closing of said cover
with respect to said base; and a hinge having a hinge body with a first
end pivotally coupled to said first end of said base at a first pivot
axis, and a second end pivotally coupled to said cover at a second pivot
axis, said cover being pivotally connected to said base and being
configured where said first end of said cover contacts and slides on said
contact surface during closing of said cover without contacting said top
surface of said flange at said first end of said base.

12. The cover assembly of claim 13, wherein said first contact member
extends upwardly from said flange and is spaced from a top face of said
flange.

13. The cover assembly of claim 11, further comprising a gasket on said
flange and surrounding said central opening, and said contact surface
being oriented to contact said cover to resist wear on a top surface of
said gasket.

14. The cover assembly of claim 13, wherein said base has a recess at
said first end with an open side facing inwardly toward said central
opening, and said first end of said cover has an edge received in said
recess in said first end when said cover is in the closed position to
prevent said first end of said cover from lifting upward from said base
in the closed position.

15. The cover assembly of claim 14, wherein said recess at said first end
of said base is defined by a hinge mounting bracket coupled to said base.

16. The cover assembly of claim 11, wherein said base has a first side
and a second side extending between said first end and second end of said
base, said first contact member positioned on said first side of said
base at said first end to contact a first side of said cover, and a
second contact member positioned on said second side at said first end of
said base to contact a second side of said cover.

17. A cover assembly for a floor box, comprising: a base having a central
opening for accessing said floor box; a cover pivotally coupled to said
base and having a dimension to close said central opening; a sliding
latch member coupled to said cover for sliding between a latched position
and an unlatched position, said latch member having a first arm extending
from a first side; and an actuating member pivotally coupled to said
cover about a pivot axis, said actuating member having a first detent
engaging said first arm, whereby pivoting said actuating member produces
a sliding movement of said latch.

18. The cover assembly of claim 17, wherein said latch member has a
second arm extending from a second side opposite said first side, and
said actuating member has a second detent engaging said second arm.

19. The cover assembly of claim 17, wherein said cover is coupled to said
base by a hinge having a first end pivotally coupled to said first end of
said base and a second end pivotally coupled to said first end of said
cover.

20. The cover assembly of claim 19, wherein said hinge has a tab
extending longitudinally from said second end of said hinge and
positioned to contact a bottom face of said cover to limit pivotable
movement of said cover with respect to said hinge.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation application of Ser. No.
13/833,866, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a cover assembly having a base
and a hinged cover that pivots about 180° between an open position
and closed position. The invention is particularly directed to a cover
assembly having a hinge assembly that permits the cover to lay flat on
the floor in the open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Electrical floor boxes are known in the art for covering electrical
receptacle and other electrical devices when not in use. Often the floor
box has a hinged cover that pivots from a closed position to an open
position. Many floor boxes have a top surface that is raised from the
floor creating a lip that interferes with the use of the box.

[0004] One example of prior a floor box is disclosed in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2010/0072198 to Roemer et al. This patent application
discloses a floor mounting container for an electrical device where the
cover can pivot 180° to lay flat in the open position. The hinge
includes a hinge block having one end pivotally connected to the flange
of the container and a second end pivotally connected to the cover.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,476 to Zeliff et al. discloses a floor box
having a cover hinged to the box and a notch in the cover for receiving
an egress door. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0054135 to Galasso et
al. discloses a recessed electrical outlet box having a hinged cover that
can pivot 180°. The hinge of Galasso et al. is a four part hinge
having two interconnected links between the frame and the cover.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,760 to Takimoto and U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,350 to
Morgan disclose biaxial hinge assemblies having a single link connecting
two hinge portions together to allow the hinge to pivot 180° and
lay flat on the frame.

[0007] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0053679 to Galasso et al. also
discloses a recessed outlet box having a cover that can pivot
180°. As shown in FIG. 12, the hinge has two interconnecting links
connected to the hinge member on the lid and the hinge member on the
frame.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,301,100 to Drane et al. discloses a floor box cover
that is hinged to the flange. As shown in FIG. 12, the cover can pivot
180° to lay flat against the floor. The hinge includes a pin made
of a resilient material such as steel. When the cover is opened, the pin
flexes to permit translational movement of the cover and pin and creates
a biasing force to urge the cover in a forward position.

[0009] GB 2 241 389 discloses a floor box having a hinged cover where the
hinge has two interconnecting links to allow the cover to lay flat when
in the open position.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,579,549 to Jolly discloses a floor box having a
cover that can pivot open and then retract into a slot in the face of the
box.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,851,703 to Drane discloses a gasket forming a
sealing member around the opening of a door. The gasket has a
water-resistant coating to provide a releasable and repositionable
adhesive sealing surface prior to curing.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 7,459,632 to Bowman discloses a floor box having a
hinged cover with a hinged egress door. The egress door has a sealing
member on one side to form a seal between the egress door and the lid.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,041 to Almond Inc. discloses a floor box having
a hinged cover and an egress door. The cover does not pivot 180°
with respect to the frame.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,662 to Riedy et al. discloses a floor box with
a hinged cover and an egress door. The frame of the floor box includes a
gasket for forming a seal. The cover includes a spring and a cam surface
to secure the door in the closed position.

[0015] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0236023 to Wang et al. discloses a
hinge assembly for an electronic device such as a notebook computer. The
hinge device includes a series of washers mounted on a pivot pin to
provide sufficient friction to hold the hinge in the selected position.

[0016] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0206603 to Drane discloses a
latching floor box cover having a lid pivotally connected to the frame, a
latch on the frame, and a lid biasing device positioned between the lid
and the frame where the biasing device is in engagement with the frame to
urge the lid away from the closed position when the lid is unlatched.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,355 to Yuhara discloses a vanity case having a
sliding latch mechanism in the housing and a hinged cover that is opened
by a spring as shown in FIG. 3.

[0018] While these devices have been generally suitable for the intended
purpose there is continuing need in the industry for improved cover
assemblies for floor boxes and hinge assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is directed to a floor box cover assembly
where the cover pivots 180° between a closed position and an open
position. The invention is particularly directed to cover assembly where
the cover can pivot to an open position and lay flat on the floor surface
without interference from the base of the cover assembly on the floor
surface.

[0020] Accordingly one object of the invention is to provide a cover
assembly for a floor box having a hinge assembly that enables the
pivoting of the cover between a closed position where the cover is flush
with the top surface of the base and an open position where the cover can
lay flat on the floor.

[0021] Another feature of the invention is to provide a cover assembly
having a hinge assembly with a hinge body that is pivotally connected to
the base and pivotally connected to the cover. The hinge assembly enables
a free range of movement of the cover with respect to the base.

[0022] A further feature of the invention is to provide a cover assembly
for a floor box having a base and hinged cover. The base has a surface
that contacts an edge of the cover during opening and closing of the
cover to form a sliding surface to prevent excess wear to a gasket
provided between the cover and the base. The gasket is positioned within
a central opening of the base to form a seal between the cover and the
base. The sliding surface is provided to contact the pivoting end of the
cover during opening and closing to prevent sliding contact of the cover
with the gasket and to guide the end of the cover to the closed position.

[0023] Another feature of the invention is to provide a cover assembly for
a floor box where the cover is received in an opening in the base with
the top surface of the cover flush with a top surface of the base when
the cover is in the closed position. The cover is able to pivot to the
open position with the top surface of the cover contacting a portion of
the top surface of the base.

[0024] The cover assembly of the invention includes a hinge assembly that
enables the cover to pivot to lay flat on the floor in the open position.
The hinge assembly has a hinge body with one end pivotally coupled to a
first end of the base and a second end pivotally coupled to a first end
of the cover. The second end of the hinge body has a tab that extends
from the hinge body to contact the bottom surface of the cover to limit
pivoting movement of the cover with respect to the hinge body. The tab
enables the hinge body to pivot with the cover about the pivot axis
between the base and the hinge body while closing the cover.

[0025] The cover assembly includes a base with a central opening and a
flange extending into the central opening. A gasket is provided on the
top face of the flange to form a seal between the cover and the base. A
slide member extends upward from the face of the flange to form a slide
surface at the top face of the gasket so that the end edge of the cover
slides on the slide member to prevent sliding contact with the gasket.

[0026] Another feature of the invention is to provide a cover assembly
having a base and a hinged cover where the cover has a sliding latch
assembly to latch the cover in the closed position. The latch assembly
has an actuating member that is received in a recess in the cover so that
the sliding latch body and the actuating member are flush with respect to
the cover and the base.

[0027] Another feature of the invention is to provide a cover assembly
with a sliding latch assembly having a latch body coupled to the cover
for sliding movement between a closed position and an open position. The
latch body has two outwardly extending arms extending from opposite sides
of the latch body. An actuating member is pivotally coupled to the cover
and has a pair of detents that engage the arms on the latch body to slide
the latch body to the open position.

[0028] These and other aspects of the invention are basically attained by
providing a cover assembly for a floor box where the cover assembly
includes a base, a cover and a hinge assembly. The base defines a central
opening for accessing the floor box. The cover has a dimension to close
the central opening of the base. The hinge has a hinge body with a first
end pivotally coupled to the base about a first pivot axis and a second
end pivotally coupled to the cover about a second pivot axis. A tab
extends from the second end of the hinge body to contact a bottom surface
of the cover to limit pivoting of the cover with respect to the hinge
body about the second pivot axis during closing of the cover.

[0029] The features of the invention are also attained by providing a
cover assembly for a floor box including a base defining a central
opening for accessing the floor box where the base has a first end and a
second end. At least one slide surface is provided in the opening at the
first end of the base. A cover is included having a dimension to close
the central opening and contact the slide surface during opening and
closing of the cover with respect to the base. A hinge has a hinge body
for pivotally coupling the cover to the base. The hinge body has a first
end pivotally coupled to the base at the first pivot axis and a second
end pivotally coupled to the cover at the second pivot axis.

[0030] The various objects of the invention are also attained by providing
a cover assembly for a floor box including a base, a cover and a hinge.
The base defines a central opening for accessing the floor box and has a
flange spaced from a top face of the base and extends into the central
opening. The cover has a dimension to close the central opening and to
mate with the flange. The hinge has a hinge body coupled to the cover and
the base to pivot the cover with respect to the base between an open and
closed position. The cover is substantially parallel to the base in the
open position and is received in the central opening in the closed
position.

[0031] These and other aspects, object and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of the
invention which in conjunction with the annexed drawings disclose various
embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The following is a brief description of the drawings in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the floor box cover assembly in one
embodiment of the invention showing the cover in the partially open
position;

[0034] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cover assembly in one embodiment
of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a top view of the cover assembly of FIG. 2;

[0036] FIG. 4 is partial top perspective view of the cover assembly of
FIG. 3 showing the cover in the open position;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of the hinge assembly;

[0038] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the hinge assembly
showing the cover in the closed position;

[0039] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the hinge assembly
showing the cover partially open;

[0040] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the hinge assembly
showing the cover in the open position and laying flat against the top
surface of the base;

[0041] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the hinge assembly
showing the cover being pivoted from the open position to the closed to
the open position and showing the cover sliding on the slide surface;

[0042] FIG. 10 a partial cross-sectional side view of the hinge assembly
of FIG. 9 showing the cover pivoting toward the closed position;

[0043] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the cover of FIG.
10 pivoting to the closed position;

[0044] FIG. 12 is cross-sectional view of the base, hinge assembly and
cover in the open position taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 4;

[0045] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cover engaging the hinge
bracket while closing the cover;

[0046] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cover in the closed
position;

[0047] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the cover assembly showing the access
doors of the cover in the open position;

[0048] FIG. 16 is a partial bottom view of the hinge of the access doors
with the retainer removed showing the hinge assembly and compression
spring;

[0049] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the access door with the compression
spring washer;

[0050] FIG. 18 is top view of the compress spring washer of FIG. 14;

[0051] FIG. 19 is a side view of the compression spring washer of FIG. 15;

[0052] FIG. 20 is a partial top view of the cover showing the latch
assembly in one embodiment of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 21 is a top view of the latch assembly showing the actuator
member in the open position;

[0054] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the latch assembly taken along
line 22-22 of FIG. 20;

[0055] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the latch assembly showing the
arm extending from the slide latch and the detents of the actuator member
for actuating the slide latch;

[0056] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the latch assembly showing the
actuating members sliding the slide latch toward the unlatched position;

[0057] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the latch assembly showing the
slide latch in the unlatched position;

[0058] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the slide latch in the
open position; and

[0059] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the actuating member of the latch
assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] The present invention is directed to a cover assembly for an
electrical box. In particular, the invention is directed to a cover
assembly for use with a floor box that is mounted in a floor to allow
access to electrical components mounted in the box.

[0061] The cover assembly of the invention as shown in the drawings
includes a cover assembly 10 having a base 12 and cover 14. The cover
assembly 10 is configured to coupling to an electrical box 16. The
electrical box 16 in the embodiment shown is a floor mounted box that is
intended to be mounted in the floor of a building so that the electrical
components are accessible to the user. The electrical box 16 can be any
suitable construction as known in the art and is mounted in the floor so
that the top edge is substantially flush with the floor surface. In the
embodiment shown, the electrical box 16 has an open top end configured
for coupling to the cover assembly. The electrical box 16 typically
encloses electrical wiring device such as electrical receptacles, video
connections and data connections.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 2, the base 12 has a substantially rectangular
configuration in the embodiment shown although the shape and dimensions
of the base can vary depending on the intended use and the dimensions of
the electrical box 16. The base has a central opening 18 for allowing
access to the electrical components within the electrical box 16. The
base 12 has a substantially flat top surface 20 and a recessed area 30
defined by an inwardly extending flange 22. The flange 22 is positioned
below and recessed with respect to the top surface 20 of the base 12 to
form the recessed area 30 below the top surface 20 of the base 12. A side
wall 32 extends between the flange 22 and the top surface 20 of the base
12 to define the depth of the recessed area 30. The inner edge 24 of
flange 18 defines the dimensions of the central opening 18. As shown the
flange 22 completely surrounds the central opening 18 to form a
continuous surface. A plurality of screw apertures 26 are formed in the
flange 22 for receiving mounting screws to attach the base to the top end
of the electrical box 16.

[0063] A gasket 28 is provided in the recessed area 30 on the flange 30 to
form a seal between the cover 14 and the base 12 when the cover 14 is
closed. The gasket 28 is preferably made from a resilient rubber material
that is able form a waterproof or water tight seal between the cover 14
and the base 12 to prevent water and dirt from entering the box 16. As
shown in FIG. 2, the gasket 28 has an outer dimension corresponding to
the inner dimension of the recessed area 30 of the base 12 so that the
gasket 28 fits within the recessed area 30. The gasket 28 is provided
with a central opening 34 have a dimension corresponding to the dimension
of the central opening 18. Preferably the gasket surrounds the central
opening 18 with a continuous surface to provide the water tight seal
between the cover 14 and the base 12. The gasket can be attached to the
top surface of the flange 22 by an adhesive to prevent separation of the
gasket 28 from the cover assembly 10. The gasket 28 preferably has a
plurality of holes 29 overlying the screw holes 26 for accessing the
mounting screws within the screw holes 26.

[0064] The flange 22 of the base 12 has a width to mate with cover 14. The
flange 22 is formed with longitudinal side portions 36, a first end
portion 38 and a second end portion 40 opposite the first end portion 38.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the flange 22 and side wall 36 of base
12 forming the recessed area 30 include a raised member 42 proximate the
first end portion 38. The raised members 42 in the embodiment shown are
provided at each corner of the recessed area 30 at the first end portion
38. In one embodiment, the gasket 28 has a thickness corresponding to the
height of the raise member 42 so that the top flat face 43 of the raised
member 42 is substantially flush with the top surface of the gasket 28.
As shown in FIG. 2, the gasket 28 has a notched portion 44 in the two
opposite corners to receive the raised members 42. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2, a raised portion 42 is provided in two corners of the
recessed area at the first end portion 38 of the flange 22. Alternatively
a raised member can be provided in each of the four corners of the
recessed area 30 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0065] The cover 14 is pivotally coupled to the base 12 by a hinge
assembly 46. The hinge assembly 46 is configured to enable the cover 14
to pivot between a closed position shown in FIG. 3 and an open position
shown in FIG. 4. Preferably the hinge assembly 46 allows the cover to
pivot open so that the cover 14 lays flat on the top surface 20 of the
base 12 and the surface of the floor in which the cover assembly and
electrical box are mounted. The hinge assembly 46 also enables the cover
14 to pivot to the closed position shown in FIG. 3 where the cover 14 is
seated in the recessed area 30 of the base 12 with the top surface of the
cover 14 substantially flush with the top surface 20 of the base 12. The
hinge assembly 46 provides a full range of pivoting movement of about 180
degrees.

[0066] The hinge assembly 46 includes a hinge mounting bracket 48 that is
coupled to the first end portion 38 of the flange 22 as shown in the FIG.
2 and FIG. 11. The hinge mounting bracket 48 is attached to the flange 22
by screws 49, rivets or other suitable fasteners. The mounting bracket 48
in the embodiment shown has a body portion 50 with a U-shaped member 52
at each end for pivotally coupling to a hinge body 54. As shown in FIG.
11 the body 50 of the hinge mounting bracket 48 is spaced from the flange
22 and has a top end substantially flush with the top surface of the base
12. Each U-shaped member 52 has a bore 56 for receiving a pivot pin 58.
In one preferred embodiment two U-shaped members 52 are provided for
supporting two hinge bodies 54 for supporting the cover 14.

[0067] Each hinge body 54 is configured for pivotally coupling the cover
14 to the base 12 and allowing a full range of pivoting motion between
the cover 14 and the base 12. The hinge body 54 has a longitudinal
dimension with a first end 60 and a second end 62. The first end 60 of
the hinge body 54 has bore 64 for receiving the pivot pin 58 and
pivotally coupling the hinge body 54 to the bracket 48 and the base 12.
The bore 64 and pivot pin 58 define a first pivot axis of the hinge body
54 with respect to the base 12. The hinge body 58 is able to pivot with
respect to the bracket 48 and the base 12 between a first position
overlying the flange 22 and extending in a direction substantially
parallel to the flange 22 with the cover 14 in the closed position as
shown in FIG. 5 and a position extending in an upward direction
substantially perpendicular to the flange 22 with the cover 14 in the
open position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0068] The second end 62 of the hinge body 54 has a bore 66 for receiving
a pivot pin 68 for pivotally coupling the cover 14 to the hinge body 54.
The bore 66 and pin 68 define a second pivot axis of the hinge body 54
spaced from the first pivot axis in a longitudinal direction with respect
to the longitudinal dimension of the hinge body 54. In the embodiment
shown, the bore 66 lies in a plane that is offset from the plane of the
bore 64. In this manner the bores 64 and 66 define two pivot axes that
are space apart along the longitudinal dimension of the hinge body 54 and
spaced apart in a generally transverse direction of the hinge body 54 so
that the bore 64 is spaced adjacent a first side 70 of the hinge body 54
and the bore 66 is adjacent a second side 72 of the hinge body 54.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 5-11, the hinge body 54 has a tab 74
extending from the second end 62 in a substantially longitudinal
direction. In the embodiment shown, the tab 74 is aligned with the second
bore 66 and is offset from a center longitudinal axis of the hinge body
54. The cover 14 has a first end 92 with two slots or recessed portions
76 for receiving the respective hinge body 54. A hinge pin 68 is recessed
in groove 81 extending between hinge lugs 83 and is coupled to the bottom
side of the cover 14 by a mounting plate 82 that is attached to the
bottom side of the cover 14 by rivets 84, screws or other fasteners.
Bosses 87 extend upward from the inner face of the cover 14 to align the
plate during assembly. The hinge pin 68 is aligned with the recessed
portions 78 and extends through the bores 66 of the hinge body 54 to
pivotally couple the hinge body 54 to the cover 14.

[0070] The hinge body 54 enables the cover 14 to pivot freely between the
open position and the closed position to lay flat against the top surface
of the base 12 and the floor surface. Referring to FIG. 6, the cover 14
seats on the gasket 28 and the hinge body 54 lies against the surface of
the flange 22 in the closed position. The hinge body 54 preferably has a
dimension so that the side edge 70 is substantially flush with the top
surface of the cover 14 and the base 12. The cover 14 pivots toward the
open position shown in FIG. 6 about the first pivot axis so that the
hinge body 54 pivots upwardly until the hinge body makes contact the top
edge of the recessed area 30. The cover 14 continues to pivot to the open
position shown in FIG. 7 about the second pivot axis to lay flat on the
top surface of the base 12 and the floor surface.

[0071] To close the cover 14 the cover is pivoted from the position shown
in FIG. 7 toward the position shown in FIG. 8. In the first portion of
the pivotal movement, the cover 12 pivots about the first pivot axis
defined by the pivot pin 58 in the bore 64 at the first end of the hinge
body 54 until the bottom face of the cover 14 contacts the tab 74 as
shown in FIG. 10. The contact of the bottom face of the cover 14 with the
tab 74 causes the hinge body 54 to continue pivoting simultaneously with
the cover 12 to the closed position shown in FIG. 6. The tab 74 limits
the pivoting movement between the hinge body 54 and the cover 14 so that
the hinge body 54 pivots to the closed position by pivoting about the
first pivot axis of the pin 58. The tab 74 prevents the first end of the
cover 14 from lifting upward from base when the second end of the cover
is latched to the base. As shown in FIG. 6, the tab 74 prevents the hinge
body 54 from pivoting about the first pivot axis without pivoting the
cover open.

[0072] The end of the cover 14 engages the slide surface 43 of the raised
member 42 during opening and closing of the cover 14 as depicted in FIGS.
9-11. The top slide surface 43 of the raised member 42 forms a bearing
surface for the edge of the cover 14 as shown in FIG. 8. The raised
members 42 are positioned on opposite corners of the recessed area
forming a bearing or wear resistance surface to contact the edge of the
cover 14 during the pivoting movement of the cover 14 with respect to the
base 12. The raised members 42 prevent the edges of the cover 14 from
sliding over the surface of the gasket 28 during opening and closing of
the cover 14 to prevent excessive wear to the soft and resilient gasket
material.

[0073] The cover 14 as shown in FIG. 2 has a shape and dimension to be
received within the recessed area 30 of the base 12. The cover 14 has
longitudinal side edges 90, a first hinge end 92, and a second front end
94. A continuous rib 95 extends from the bottom surface of the cover 14
to surround the opening in the base 12 and form a seal against the gasket
28. The rib 95 has a height to extend below the top face of the raised
members 42 to ensure contact with the gasket 28 and form a watertight
seal. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the corners at the hinge end of
the cover 14 have a recess 97 with a dimension to receive the top surface
of the raised members 42 to enable sealing by the gasket at the corners
of the cover 14.

[0074] The hinge end 92 has a pair of slots 96 for receiving the hinge
body 54. As shown in FIGS. 12-14 the center portion of the hinge end 92
between the slots 96 has an inclined face 98 that slopes from the top
face toward the bottom face of the cover 14. The inclined face 98 forms a
flange that engages the body portion 50 forming a cross member of the
hinge bracket 48 during the closing moving of the cover 14 with respect
to the base 12 and slides over the surface of the cross member. The
inclined face 98 contacts the body portion 50 and slides around and under
the body portion 50 during the closing motion of the cover 14 so that the
inclined face extends under the body portion 50 when the cover is fully
closed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0075] The side edges 90 of the cover 14 each include an access opening
100 and a movable access door 102 to allow electrical cords to pass
through when the cover 14 is closed. Each access door 102 has an inner
edge with a gasket 104 and an outer edge 106 for mating with the recessed
area 30 and the gasket 28 on the base 12. As shown in FIGS. 15-17, the
access doors 102 each have two hinge pins 108 extending from opposite
ends for pivotally coupling with the cover 14. The hinge pins 108 in the
embodiment shown have a bent configuration so that the bearing 110 of the
hinge pins are offset from the base 112 of the hinge pins 108. The
bearings 110 of the hinge pins 108 are received in a complementing recess
114 in the cover 14 and held in place by a plate member 116. The
resistance to the movement of the doors 102 is provided by an axial
compression member such as a friction washer, rubber O-ring, spring
washer or the like. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 a compression spring
washer 118 is positioned between the recess 114 and the face of the
bearing end 110 to provide a frictional force to the access doors 102 to
retain the access doors in place while allowing the user to open and
close the access doors as needed. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 the
compression spring washer 118 has a generally round perimeter and a first
curved concave face and an opposite convex face that is compressed when
inserted into the recess 114 to apply an axial compression or force from
opposite ends of the access door 102.

[0076] The front end 94 of the cover 14 has a sliding latch assembly 120
that is able to latch the cover 14 in the closed position. The latch
assembly 120 includes a main latch body 122 that slides within an opening
124 in the end of the cover so that the body 122 slides between a latched
position and an unlatched position. A handle 126 is provided for
actuating the sliding body 122.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 22-25, the body 122 has a front end 128 with a
latch member 130 having a lower inclined face 132 to assist in closing
the cover 14. A corresponding slot is provided in the end wall of the
base 12 to receive the latch member 130. In the embodiment shown, the
sides of the body 122 have a slot 134 that mate with a corresponding rib
136 extending inwardly from the sides of the opening 124 to allow the
body 122 to slide in a linear direction with respect the plane of the
cover 14.

[0078] Each side of the body has an outwardly extending arm 138 that
slides in an open area 140 in the cover 14 adjacent the opening 124. The
handle 126 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 has a substantially U-shaped
configuration with a pair of legs 146 where each leg has an outwardly
extending pivot pin 142 that is received in a corresponding hole 148 in
the cover 14 to allow pivoting movement of the handle 126 with respect to
the cover 14 and the body 122. The legs 146 of the handle 126 have a
detent 144 extending in a linear direction and perpendicular to the axis
of the pivot pins 142 that engage the arms 138 on each side of the body
122. As shown in FIGS. 21-27, the pivoting motion of the handle 126
causes the detents 144 to engage the arms 138 to retract the body 122 to
the unlatched position. As shown in FIG. 22 a spring member 150 is
included between the body 122 and the cover 14 to bias the body 122 to
the closed position.

[0079] While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the
invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of
the invention and defined in the appended claims.